"The case was carefully considered by the grand jury and they have spoken", Criminal District Attorney Tom Maness said in a press release. "It is clear that a thirty year veteran police officer was defending himself, and even tried to use non-deadly force before he felt compelled to use his weapon as a last resort. "

Civilian witnesses told Beaumont police detectives and investigators from the district attorney's offices that Gordon was acting in self-defense when Beckett attacked him as he approached what appeared to be a fight or disturbance. Officer Gordon had been on routine patrol in the vicinity of the Paul Brown Alternative Center when he came upon Beckett and a woman standing outside Beckett's car. She was exchanging words with another man standing on the corner of Pope and St. Helena.

The bystanders described Beckett as rushing Gordon's patrol car and striking at Gordon with his fists. Gordon first tried to fend Beckett off with pepper spray. Gordon eventually fired two shots from his service weapon as they struggled over the pepper spray.

Beckett was on parole for a 2004 conviction for possession of a controlled substance. That parole would have expired in July of this year.